CEDAR CITY, Utah - Aug. 20 - Southern Utah women's soccer will begin its 2008 campaign when the Thunderbirds host the UC-Riverside Highlanders on Friday, August 22. The game will be the first for both schools after not having any preseason matches this year.
“I think there will be some bumps and jitters along the way for both teams,” head coach Brian Stock said of the match-up. “Both teams have a solid core of returning players and the winner will be the one that manages to eliminate the errors early on. I also think this will come down to who has the most persistence on the attacking side.”
UC-Riverside will bring the reigning Big West Player of the Year in Tessa Lennala who led the conference with eight goals in 2007. Southern Utah will counter with senior forward Shaley Ipson-Allen who is on the cusp of becoming the all-time career record holder in goals and points.
The Thunderbirds also return an experienced back line with three returning starters and sophomore Allison Goettsche who appeared in 16 of SUU's 18 games last year.
The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Thunderbird Soccer Field.
Scouting UC-Riverside
The Highlanders were riddled with injuries in 2007, finishing without double-digit wins for the first time since 2001.
UCR was led in scoring by Tessa Lennala with 18 points on eight goals and two assists. She was followed by Natalie Ducatenzeiler with 11 points on four goals and three assists.
Deanna Borgelt and Brittany Goetz shared time in goal with Borgelt appearing in 11 games and Goetz in ten. Both had goals-against-averages of 1.75 or lower and combined for three shutouts during the season.
The Highlanders have the lead in the all-time series with a 3-0-0 mark.
Last Meeting With UC-Riverside
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Sept. 3, 2006 - UC Riverside erupted for three first-half goals en route to a 3-1 triumph over Southern Utah's women's soccer team Sunday afternoon at the UCR Soccer Stadium. The loss kept the Thunderbirds winless to open the season, 0-4-0, while the Highlanders improved to 3-1-0.
Southern Utah's lone goal came from freshman Makell Hansen in the 58th minute as she took a feed from senior Jill Page and volleyed a shot from 10-yards out for her first collegiate goal. Meanwhile, Page's assist was her first career point.
SUU was out shot 23-7 and trailed in corner kicks ten to two.
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